Attorneys file motion for new trial in federal case against Jim Carlson

By
KBJR News 1

October 29, 2013Updated Oct 30, 2013 at 12:35 PM CDT

St. Paul, MN (NNCNOW.com) --- Attorneys for Jim Carlson, owner of the Last Place on Earth in Duluth, have filed a motion for a new trial after a jury found Carlson guilty for the sale of synthetic drugs earlier this month.

In the motion filed Monday, attorneys argue that the Carlson and Lava Haugen, an employee at Last Place on Earth, are entitled to a new trial because of alleged errors made by Judge David S. Doty during the three-week trial.

In a 40 page document, attorneys base their argument for a new trial on what they call "erroneous instructions to the jury" concerning comparisons between the chemical structure of the alleged analogue drugs and the chemical structure of controlled substances.

Attorneys also argue that Carlson and Haugen should be given a new trial because of instructions to the jury on the question of whether the defendants had to know the definition of misbranding under the Food and Drug Cosmetic Act.

Back on October 7th, a jury convicted Carlson of 51 of 55 federal charges related to synthetic drug sales. Charges against Carlson included Conspiracy to Commit Offense against the United States, Distribution of a Controlled Substance, and Money Laundering.